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The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) has been providing much needed assistance to aggrieved, distressed and displaced migrant workers since it was set up in 2009. A key aspect of MWC’s services is to assist migrant workers with valid claims, in situations where their employers are unable to pay back their salary arrears. Given their vulnerability, MWC also helps with the provision of housing, meals and transport where necessary. Counselling services are also rendered to those who need emotional support.
MWC’s humanitarian charity typically taps into the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund, or MWAF, to help workers tide over the difficult period until they find their next employment. In 2018, the MWC has to-date housed more than 530 displaced migrant workers. It has also provided more than 87,000 meals and financial assistance, totaling more than $500,000 from the MWAF.
Ensuring a smooth process when companies shut down
In one case, the MWC assisted a group of 27 workers who were owed between eight to 12 months of salary. The company director had filed for bankruptcy and the workers were evicted from their places of accommodation due to unpaid dormitory bills.
Called in upon their sudden eviction, MWC responded to the case and proceeded to find shelter, provide meals and EZ Link card top-ups for transport, facilitate consultations with volunteer lawyers and assist the affected workers in finding new employment. More details of the case can be found in Annex A.
The MWC paid out ex gratia assistance totalling $30,000 to the migrant workers who were unable to fully recover their salary claims. This was to help them meet urgent financial needs, like critical family living expenses which had been severely delayed by their salary problems.
One of the affected migrant workers, who is Bangladeshi and requested anonymity, said, “I was owed three months’ salary and after my company went bust, I had no money to sustain myself and I had no place to live. I was uncertain of my future and was anxious whether I could get back my salary and also where to stay. When I was brought to the MWC dormitory, I felt relieved that I had a place to stay and three meals taken care of while I wait for my claim. I also met others who were going through the same situation and were helped by MWC. I am thankful to see that even though we were all in difficult situation, there is an organisation like MWC to help workers like me in our struggle.”
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Chairman of MWC, said, “Losing a job can be very distressing for anybody, let alone our migrant workers who are in a foreign land. As the claims process can be mentally and emotionally straining for them, the MWC hand-holds them throughout the entire process and assists in whatever way we can. Ultimately, we aim to make the entire process as painless as possible, and help our migrant workers get back on their feet again as soon as possible.”
“As many migrant workers fear losing their jobs and being sent home, they may delay reporting the matter to the authorities. It is important that our migrant workers know that they should come to us early if they are owed their salaries, so that we can take the necessary action and help them find new employment in Singapore as soon as possible. We are working closely with the tripartite partners to enhance the process of helping displaced workers find new employment, to give them more reassurance in this area.”
Recognising the contributions of migrant workers in Singapore
The MWC International Migrants Day (IMD) celebrations was organised to recognise migrant workers for their positive contributions to Singapore. With a “health and safety” theme, activity booths were on site to provide migrant workers with health and wellness advice. In addition to being treated to a concert, about 5,000 migrant workers representing different dormitories participated in a 3km run and walk, mass exercise and various sports competitions such as cricket, futsal, carom, darts and volleyball.
At the event, 10 Ambassadors from MWC’s “FAIR” Network Grassroots Movement, who are migrant workers themselves, received awards in recognition of their contributions and active participation in helping fellow migrant workers. MWC’s volunteer grassroots network, which was set up in 2013, currently has about 3,000 Ambassadors. They are trained on basic employment rights to enable them to reach out to their fellow migrant workers to help address employment issues early.
Mr Yeo said, “We are indeed very happy to celebrate the contributions of our migrant worker friends today. Members of the public, too, can do their part — a simple act of acknowledgement such as a smile or ‘thank you’ can go a long way.”
The MWC IMD celebrations, supported by JTC, was held at Terusan Recreation Centre. NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How was Guest-of-Honour at the event.
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Annex A: Case Details
MWC responded to the case of 27 migrant workers who were owed between eight to 12 months of salary. The Centre carried out the following tasks to help the displaced workers:
a) Worked closely with the operators of two dormitories to house the affected workers in the interim. This provided the time needed for MWC to arrange alternate housing arrangements where necessary, to allay workers’ concern of having nowhere to stay.
b) For those who were unable to continue staying in their dormitories, MWC made arrangements for them to move into MWC’s own shelter, and catered daily meals for them.
c) Worked closely with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) to provide assistance for the workers’ salary claims.
d) Facilitated some of the migrant workers to meet with volunteer lawyers from our pro-bono legal clinic to understand what recovery options were available to them.
e) Provided EZ Link card top-ups as the affected workers were still required to travel regularly to TADM to get updates or meet with mediators for their claims.
f) For those who had valid claims and expressed their desire to continue working in Singapore, the MWC worked with the Ministry of Manpower to help them find new employment through the MWC’s network of partners.
